Dennison Vote Is Worth Crossing Party Lines

OPINION - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

August 8, 1993

THE TONE of Don Boyett's column concerning the possible candidacy of Andrea Dennison for the County Commission implied she would have an uphill battle defeating Larry Furlong, the incumbent. I don't think so.

As a staunch Democrat, I would cross party lines for the first time in my life and vote for Dennison.

Why the switch? Whatever positives Furlong may possess are far outweighed by his lack of concern for all the citizens in his county.

Remember his comments regarding the homeless people who camp in the woods behind the Kmart in Fern Park? He was quoted as saying to call them homeless would be generous. He went on to say these people are winos who are there by choice.

These comments reflect society's and his loss of compassion for the less fortunate. Is Furlong unaware that alcoholism is a disease?

People in poverty do not have the financial and educational resources to seek treatment for this affliction. For him to so callously dismiss their plight because of their social status, or lack thereof, is contemptible. I'm sure he would not refer to Betty Ford as a wino.

Should Dennison choose to run in the next County Commission race, she has my vote.